Hekate's Deipnon; The Dark Moon, Prayer, Rituals and More

Hekate’s Deipnon is a beautiful reminder of how our lives are cyclical, ever-changing but always interconnected. It invites us to find solace in honoring those who’ve come before us, to savor the moment of stillness in between one moon cycle and the next, and to recognize our own powerful connection with the divine. When you join in this timeless ceremony, understand that Hekate is a powerful symbol of witching transformation and empowerment – she may guide your path if you’re open to her presence.

In very practical terms, it can be the “wrap this up” day of your calendar every month, to ensure all of your magickal workings are taken care of, tidied away, altar place all sorted out – as well as any payments that are due are paid, if you have a favour that was overdue to be repaid to complete by the Deipnon, or alternatively to give you a moment of pause to check in on yourself and your family. Hekate’s Deipnon is an ancient tradition that still carries relevant resonance today.

Witches can also use the Deipnon as an opportunity to connect with their ancestors and past relatives, honoring it through actions like wearing clothing they’d passed down or holding a candle in honor of them. This is a lovely way to bring some healing closure into your home, allowing you to enjoy some healing moments for yourself, your grief and those around you.

Deipnon Meal

In ancient Greece, the Deipnon meal was often a few humble offerings of bread, fruits and root vegetables like onions and garlic. Fasting on this day was also quite common – a way to pay respect to Hekate’s presence and her power in your life, then eating after leaving your meal offering. You could adapt this by having a simple meal or fasting depending on what resonates best for you, but for health reasons, I’ll never recommend fasting.

If you make a modern dish for the deipnon, include lots of seasonal ingredients, such as squash or apples – and don’t forget to thank the goddess and the earth for providing them. You could also use something symbolic you’d associated with Hekate in your dish to honor her. This could be anything from a simple herb like parsley (to represent the Underworld) to adding garlic (which was especially dear to Hecate). Even something like a slice of garlic bread can be considered an offering though, and if you’re not in a financial position to want to waste food right now (I mean, who is) you can just put a clove in your pocket or by your front door for now, or nurture regrowth from food you’d typically be wasting (such as regrowing celery or green onions) and offer next cycle.

Deipnon Sacrifice and Offering

Plutarch mentions that Hecate guides souls back to this land for resolutions, for vengeance, for closure, and generally for peace on the Deipnon. So this is a perfect time to choose an offering of something you’d associated with Hecate or your ancestors, like a statue, or incense, oranges, roses, coins.

I’ve seen it written that for expiation (atonement, righting of wrongs and making amends) households had sacrificed dogs to Hekate and then utilising the entrails performed haruspicy to divine whether they were forgiven, or if there was a message.

However you know I’m going to say that this is where I draw the line. We can honour Hekate in other ways that are not cruel and inhumane – such as leaving simple offerings of food, drinks, and incense on her altar. Of course you could also perform rituals to petition her for something or thank her for something else (the list is endless).

I personally love to use essential oils or creating herb candles for my offerings, especially those associated with Hekate like cypress and myrrh. This is a great way to customize your offering and anoint yourself or others in attendance if you wish.

Finally, take some time during the new moon festival to practice divination, reflection, and meditation on where you are now and what direction it will lead. I’ve got some new moon tarot spreads you could use (and the dark moon spreads will be up soon too, so subscribe to the newsletter to hear updates!)

Deipnon Cleansing

Cleansing the home for the Deipnon (and Noumenia) was like giving your living space a big, cozy hug, too. Imagine it like tidying up, dusting away the cobwebs, and lighting a soothing scented candle. It was a chance to hit the reset button for households back then, creating a fresh start for both your surroundings and your mindset. As the Deipnon closed one lunar chapter and the Noumenia opened another, this cleaning ritual was like a friendly handshake with the universe.

By freshening up your space, you were saying goodbye to the old and inviting in the new with a warm smile. So whether it was sweeping the floors or letting some sunlight in, people were taking a moment to honor the cycle of life while setting the stage for brighter days ahead.

Alternative activities for Hekate’s Deipnon

• • Settling financial debts you may owe to friends, family or in business (or side hustles)
  • Food bank donations or work out of a soup kitchen, even hosting a potluck buffet for a night in
  • Smoke cleanse your home with burning mugwort, rosemary or garden-grown sage
  • Create protective door washes with onions and garlic-infused moon water to ward your spaces
  • Burn a white or black candle for ancestor veneration
  • Gather the family with an offering of food, drink and incense to share stories about those who have passed
  • Exchange genuine heartfelt letters, tokens and gifts with loved ones to remember those not present
  • Hang windchimes outside your home for celestial blessings from the goddess Hekate
  • Spend time helping out at a dog’s sanctuary or aiding/fundraising for dog’s charities like the Battersea Dogs Home in the UK
  • Sit in quiet meditation, reflecting on your achievements and what areas of life you’d like to work on in the coming cycle. Ask Hekate for guidance and wisdom if you need it, to see if she comes through in visualisation or visions.
  • Spend time crafting or writing – perhaps a poem, story or song about Hekate’s many facets or tales from days gone by.